Beat the heat and high temps at cooling centers in Garwood, Fanwood, other Union County towns

UNION COUNTY — Due to the excessive heat in our area, cooling centers have opened in several municipalities around Union County.

Garwood Borough Hall at 403 South Ave. is open to
residents as a cooling center. Council Chambers at borough hall is air conditioned and has ample seating.

In Elizabeth, the Sampson Senior Citizen Center 800 Ana St. is open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. as a cooling center.

Other cooling centers are available in the following towns:

In the Township of Union, the senior center at 968 Bonnel Court is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and the library at 1980 Morris Ave., from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

In Linden, the library at 31 East Henry St., from 8:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Thursday, from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.

Roselle borough’s Anthony Amalfe Community Center, 1268 Shaffer Ave., will be open every day from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for use as a cooling center during this heat wave. Residents can enjoy cold water, TV, board games and magazines in an air-conditioned setting. Borough youth and seniors are encouraged to stop by, as they can be vulnerable to high temperatures and humidity.

The Fanwood Police Department has designated The Chelsea Senior Living Center at 295 South Ave. as a cooling station. For transportation, call the Fanwood Police at 908-322-5000. Senior citizens should bring any medications and other necessary items.

"High body temperatures and dehydration will make other medical conditions such as heart and breathing problems much worse,” advised Fanwood Police Chief Richard Trigo. “It is very important to stay cool and hydrated when the heat index reaches these dangero us levels.”

The chief is asking residents to check on elderly neighbors and to tell them about the cooling stations.